Is There Really Such a Thing as an ‘Addictive Personality’?

If you use the same special glass every time you have a drink or sit in the same chair every time you smoke a joint, the brain notices that connection. This is called Pavlovian conditioning. DMITRY KOSTYUKOV/AFP via Getty Images

We’ve all heard of someone referred to as having an “addictive personality”. Some even say it about themselves. But you may be surprised to know there is no such thing.

Despite decades of research, no-one has been able to identify a consistent set of personality traits or a single personality type that can reliably predict whether someone will have problems with alcohol or other drugs.